Washington vacation - first day

We had the most amazing two weeks in Washington State this summer!!  With young adult children working and going to college, I felt it was a special blessing that every one of them was able to come on this trip.  We began our two weeks with a three day "official" family reunion.  Both my sisters and their families were there!

Daughter G, always arting!

Our first morning in WA we got to meet my sweet little great-niece and great-nephew.  Oh my heart.  All my kids had so much fun with their little cousins!  At almost two and nine months, they were super fun ages to play with!

Me and my sweet mama.

It was super fun to see my sister Gayle as a grandma. :)

Different relatives kept arriving all throughout the day.  It was like Christmas each time someone else arrived!

Me and my sister Gayle.

Day one was so fun, we couldn't wait for day two!

Sweet time with friends!

Little Man got to spend a week with his "brother from another mother," and I got to spend a day and a half this "brother's" parents!  We spent a fun afternoon at a park, playing with their dog,

biking, creek walking,

and fishing in a catch and release pond!

Andrew's friend caught two and Andrew caught this beautiful little fish.

Releasing it was kindof gross, and kindof cool all at the same time.

We are thankful for lifelong friendships!

Thursday's Thankful Things

A delightful time with a friend today.

A BEAUTIFUL day, lots of sunshine, not too hot!

Friends and fun activities for my younger two boys today.

That God is faithful and sufficient, and meets all my needs!

Family Outing

 As the children become young adults, I am finding it more difficult to get us all together for family outings, or even for family dinners.  I am happy to be with whoever is here, but my mama's heart is happiest when all the children are together, and engaging happily with one another.  So it was a delight to spend an evening together this past week!  Daughter G and son L were not able to join us until ice cream at the end of the evening, but it was a joy to be together!

We started the evening with a frisbee competition in the park.

Then we watched "Avengers: Infinity War" at a cheap theater, and then we went out for ice cream!

I know these times are going to become more and more rare, so I soak up every moment that we are together!

Fourth of July!

I saw a t-shirt in a store this summer that said, "Party like it's 1776."  It made me think of John Adam's poignant words in a letter to his wife after the signing of the Declaration of Independence (which commenced on July 2, 1776):

"The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America.  I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.  It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more."

While many Americans may not know the details of the beginning of our nation, I am glad that John Adam's prophetic words hold mostly true.  All over the country there are parades, games, sports, bonfires, and illuminations (fireworks).  The story of our freedom from the tyranny of King George III is an amazing story, all the more incredible because it is TRUE.  It is worthy of celebration!

We spent the day with relatives and friends at our family cottage, visiting, eating, and soaking up the sun.  Yes, I went in the river, and yes, it was COLD!  But I managed to stay in longer than most of my kids, just to prove that I was not a wimp. :)

Son L with his girlfriend.

One of our nephews with his fiance.

Me and my sister in law.

My favorite 21 year old!!

Vacation Bible School - 2018 Edition!

Myself and three of our boys served at our church's vacation Bible school this year.  I LOVE serving at VBS, as I get to be the first and second grade story teller, and it is such a privilege to teach children about Jesus.  Son G and son C both served on the worship band (son C was also a small group leader), and Little Man was a small group leader of first and second graders.  One of the unique things about VBS for us this year was that son C had recently sustained a fracture of his fibula (smaller of the two bones in your lower leg) during his last soccer game of the season, and he served the entire week on crutches and while wearing an immobilization boot!

Son C is on the piano, and just behind him you can see son G in the drum cage.

Little Man was greatly loved by the kids in his group, and ended up "wearing" one during every large group session!

I love serving God alongside my children!

Here is a video of some of their music.  It is the "canned" music that plays as the children are entering the auditorium for the closing session at the end of the morning, but it shows the worship band guys on the platform "dancing"....my boys are on the far left and the far right.  And you can see Little Man near the back of the auditorium at the end of an aisle, singing and interacting with the boys in his small group.

Our third born is now a high school graduate!!